Fantastic Voyage

I'm betting that Fantastic Voyage had its biggest fans among science teachers in every high school in the world. If viewing the film did nothing else but stimulate a student's interest in biology it would be worthwhile.

I remember seeing this in theater back when it first came out and I can only imagine if computer graphic technology was available then what could have been done. As it is Fantastic Voyage won Oscars for Special Effects and Art&Set Design.

The concept is a fascinating one, diplomat Jean Del Val sustains a traumatic brain injury during an assassination attempt. CIA agent Stephen Boyd brings the comatose Del Val to a secret facility where under Edmond O'Brien and Arthur O'Connell. The army is conducting experiments in temporary miniaturization. You can see the possibilities there.

But now they want to know what the defecting Del Val knows so a team of five is assembled which includes Boyd, neurosurgeon Arthur Kennedy and his assistant Raquel Welch, and another scientist in charge Donald Pleasance. They are going in a submarine piloted by designer William Redfield. They and the submarine are shrunk to microscopic size and injected into Del Val. Kennedy will relieve the pressure on the brain with a laser, also miniaturized.

Our team deals with the various hazards and defenses the human body has and some sabotage by one of the team who has their own agenda.

The special effects even viewed 47 years later are still a marvel. And if that kind of biology doesn't pique your interest, the sight of Raquel Welch in a white form fitting jump suit should work on another biological interest.